My job provides financial stability but my passion has gone. What do I do?

‘You could help [your kids] lead more deliberate and thoughtful lives if you demonstrate that the financial necessity of work still leaves room for a range of relationships with work,’ writes Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Painting: La Modella by Napoleone Nani. Illustration: Rita Guglielmi/Alamy

After six months of unemployment following redundancy, I am re-entering the workforce. Initially I set out to change my career completely but that hasn’t transpired. I have spent the last half a year being present with my kids, attending school activities, baking, exercising, reading and staying on top of household chores. At times I’ve felt bored, but ultimately having one parent home has made for a smoother, simpler life.

I’m heading back to work so we can keep finances flowing. But now that I’ve had my time out, it all feels so lacklustre. Reading LinkedIn makes me feel ill – the AI slop, the bombastic words. I keep thinking: do people really care about this?